System and method for providing awards to users of an online game

ABSTRACT

An online game is provided to users via client computing devices. Gameplay metrics are determined for users of the online game based on actions taken by the users in the online game. Secondary games are provided, where the potential awards provided by the secondary games are determined based on the gameplay metrics of the users.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to providing awards to users of an online gameand in particular providing awards to users through secondary gamesassociated with an online game.

BACKGROUND

The popularity of online games has grown over the years. These gamesemploy various mechanisms and use various methods to retain interest inthe online game. One such method is to provide other games to users ofthe online game. These other games may be associated with the onlinegame.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure relates to a system for providing awards tousers of a virtual space. In some implementations, the system mayinclude one or more physical computer processors configured by machinereadable instructions to perform one or more functions. While thefollowing description refers to components, it would be understood byone of ordinary skill in the art that this application is intended tocover any manner of instructions configured to facilitate the hereindisclosed functions.

The one or more processors may be configured by machine readableinstructions to perform and/or facilitate the performance of one or moreof the following components: a space component, a user component, agameplay metric component, a secondary game component, a notificationcomponent, a distribution component, and/or one or more othercomponents.

The space component may be configured to implement an instance of anonline game to facilitate player participation in the online game. Afirst player may participate in the online game through views of theonline game presented through a game interface on a client computingdevice. The client computing device may be any client computing device,for example a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet, a mobilecomputing device and/or any client computing device.

The gameplay metric component may be configured to determine a gameplaymetric for the players of the online game. The gameplay metric may bebased on actions taken by players in the online game. The first gameplaymetric for the first player may be based on the actions taken by thefirst player in the online game.

The gameplay metric may be based on a progress of the player in theonline game. The gameplay metric may be based on an amount of resourcescollected by the player in the online game. Resources may includevirtual items obtained in the online game during gameplay, such astroops, buildings, minerals, food items, precious items and/or othervirtual items in the online game. The gameplay metric may be based on anamount of virtual currency obtained, spent, and/or held by the player ofthe online game.

The gameplay metric may be based on achievements by the players inquests, missions, and/or other aspects of the online game. The gameplaymetric may be based on a player's social rank within the online gameand/or across one or more online gaming platforms associated with theonline game.

The secondary game component may be configured to selectively provideaccess for the players to a secondary game. Access to the secondary gamemay be provided in response to an achievement realized by the players inthe online game. Access to the secondary game may be based on an amountof virtual items held by the player and/or the player's character in theonline game. For example, access to the secondary game may be providedto players who have obtained, spent, and/or hold more than a thresholdamount of virtual currency, in-game resources, troops, buildings, and/orother virtual items in the online game. Access to the secondary game maybe provided to players based on the gameplay metric of the players.Access to the secondary game may be provided based on one or moreparameters associated with the players. The one or more parameters mayinclude demographic parameters, such as geographical location, age,gender, income levels, spend history, and/or other parameters associatedwith the player of the online game. The one or more parameters may bebased on in-game play of the player in the online game, and/or otherparameters associated with the players.

The secondary game component may be configured to effectuatepresentation of an interface to players to facilitate plays of thesecondary game. The players may be presented with the secondary gamethrough the game interface while participating in the online game. Forexample, in response to an event triggering the secondary game, thesecondary game may be presented to the player in the same interface asthe online game. The secondary game may be presented to the players asan overlay to the online game, such that the secondary game is presentedto the players in the interface above the presentation of the onlinegame. The secondary game may be presented to the players, replacing theonline game presented to the players through the interface, such thatthe players are no longer presented with views of the online game whenpresented with the secondary game.

In some implementations the secondary game may be presented in asecondary game interface. The secondary game interface may be presentedthrough client computing devices associated with the players. The clientcomputing devices that the secondary game interface is presented to theplayers may be different from the client computing devices that theonline game interface is presented to the players. The secondary gameinterface may be presented on the same client computing device as theonline game interface.

The secondary game may include a set of potential awards. The potentialawards of the set of potential awards may include virtual items usablein the online game by players. The virtual items may provide anadvantage to the players in the online game. The potential awards of thesets of potential awards may have an associated user cost. Theassociated user cost may be based on a perceived value of the potentialaward to the user. For example, the perceived value to the user may bebased on an advantage that the potential award may provide to the playerof the online game. The user cost may be different for individualplayers of the online game. An advantage provided to players of theonline game may have a different perceived value to the user based on auser's status within the online game and/or based on one or moreparameters of the user of the online game.

Individual plays of the secondary game may be provided to players and/orusers of the online game in exchange for providing the associated usercost of the set of potential awards for the individual plays of thesecondary game. The associated user cost may be an amount of virtualcurrency, one or more virtual items, and/or other items that the playermay provide in exchange for participating in a play of the secondarygame.

Plays of the secondary game for users having a higher gameplay metricvalue may have a higher associated user cost compared to plays of thesecondary game for users having a lower gameplay metric value. Usershaving a higher gameplay metric value may be users that have apropensity to play the online game and/or the secondary game and may bemore willing to spend more on plays of the secondary game. In someimplementations, the awards in the sets of potential awards for playershaving a higher gameplay metric may have a higher perceived value andtherefore may command a higher associated user cost.

The secondary game component may be configured to determine, forindividual plays of the secondary game, subsets of potential awardsbased on the gameplay metrics for the players playing the secondarygame. For example, for a first play of the secondary game by the firstuser, a first subset of potential awards may be determined based on thegameplay metric for the first player. The subsets of potential awardsmay be associated with different gameplay metrics for the players. Thedifferent gameplay metrics may be associated with different aspects ofthe online game and/or different aspects of the gameplay of the playerand/or user. The sets of potential awards may be based on discretelevels of the gameplay metrics. The sets of potential awards may bebased on thresholds of values of the gameplay metrics. In someimplementations, for higher levels of gameplay metrics, the potentialawards of the sets of potential awards associated with the gameplaymetrics may have a higher perceived value in the online game.

The subsets of potential awards may comprise virtual items, wherein thevirtual items have a perceived value in the online game. The virtualitems in the subsets of potential awards that correspond to higheractivity metric values may have a higher perceived value in the onlinegame than the virtual items in subsets of potential awards correspondingto lower activity metric values.

The secondary game component may be configured to determine, forindividual plays of the secondary game, an outcome of the secondarygame. The outcome of the secondary game may include one or more awardsfrom the subset of potential awards as the actual award that is providedto the player. For example, for a first play of the secondary game bythe first user, a first actual award may be determined from the firstsubset of potential awards to provide to the user. The outcome of thesecondary game may include not receiving an award from the set ofpotential awards. The outcome of the secondary game may include anadditional play of the secondary game.

The distribution component may be configured to facilitate distributionof the award(s) to the players that have been obtained by the playersduring the plays of the secondary game. For example, the first actualaward may be distributed to the first user.

The notification component may be configured to provide notifications tousers of the online game of an indication of the subsets of potentialawards that correspond to the game play metrics of the users that areavailable in the secondary game. For example, for a first user anotification may be provided to the first user of the first subset ofpotential awards that correspond to the gameplay metric of the firstuser. Such notifications may be provided in order to incentivize playersand/or users of the online game to play the secondary game.

The notification component may be configured to provide notifications tousers of the online game of an indication of the subsets of potentialawards that correspond to a higher game play metric than the currentgameplay metric of the users. For example, for a first user anotification may be provided to the first user of a second subset ofpotential awards that correspond to a higher gameplay metric than thegameplay metric of the first user. Such notifications may be provided toincentivize the players to advance in the online game and/or takefurther actions in the online game. The online game may have one or moremonetization mechanics. By incentivizing players to advance in theonline game, take additional actions in the online game, and/or increasegameplay metrics, the online game provider may increase monetization ofthe users.

In some implementations, the secondary game component may be configuredto obtain sets of probabilities for the awards in the subsets ofpotential awards. The secondary game component may be configured tostochastically or quasi-stochastically select an award from the subsetsof potential awards as the actual award for distribution to the users.

The secondary game component may be configured to provide players withadditional plays of the secondary game. The secondary game component maybe configured to determine, for individual plays of the secondary game,an outcome of the secondary game, wherein the outcome includes an awardfrom the subset of potential awards as the actual award. For example,for a second play of the secondary game by the first user, a secondactual award may be determined from the first subset of potentialawards.

Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a method for providingawards to users of a virtual space. The method may be performed on acomputer having one or more physical processors. The method may compriseimplementing an instance of an online game to facilitate playerparticipation in the online game. For example, a first player mayparticipate in the online game through views of the online gamepresented through a game interface on a client computing device. Theclient computing device may be associated with the player. The methodmay comprise determining a gameplay metric for the players of the onlinegame. The gameplay metric may be based on actions taken by players inthe online game. For example, a first gameplay metric for the firstplayer may be based on the actions taken by the first player in theonline game.

The method may comprise selectively providing access for the players toa secondary game. The players may be presented with the secondary gamethrough the game interface while participating in the online game. Thesecondary game may include a set of potential awards. The method maycomprise determining, for individual plays of the secondary game,subsets of potential awards based on the gameplay metrics for theplayers playing the secondary game. For example, for a first play of thesecondary game by the first user, a first subset of potential awards maybe determined based on the gameplay metric for the first player.

The method may comprise determining, for individual plays of thesecondary game, an outcome of the secondary game. The outcome of thesecondary game may include one or more of nothing, an award from thesubset of potential awards as the actual award, and/or an additionalplay of the secondary game. For example, for a first play of thesecondary game by the first user, a first actual award may be determinedfrom the first subset of potential awards.

The method may further comprise facilitating distribution of theaward(s) obtained during the plays of the secondary game to the users,such that the first actual award may be distributed to the first user.

These and other features, and characteristics of the present technology,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structure and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only andare not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As usedin the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”,and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for providing awards to users of a virtualspace, in accordance with one or more implementations;

FIG. 2A illustrates an implementation of a secondary game, in accordancewith one or more implementations;

FIG. 2B illustrates an implementation of a secondary game, in accordancewith one or more implementations;

FIG. 3 illustrates an implementation of a notification provided to theusers of the online game, in accordance with one or moreimplementations;

FIG. 4 illustrates an implementation of a notification provided to theusers of he online game, in accordance with one or more implementations;and,

FIG. 5 illustrates a method for providing awards to users of a virtualspace, in accordance with one or more implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 configured for providing awards to usersof a virtual space. In some implementations, system 100 may include aserver 102. The server 102 may be configured to communicate with one ormore client computing devices 104 according to a client/serverarchitecture. The users may access system 100 and/or the virtual spacevia client computing devices 104. In some implementations, system 100may include one or more of one or more servers 102, one or moresecondary servers 124, and/or other components. The server(s) 102 and/or124 may be configured to communicate with one or more client computingdevices 104 according to a client/server architecture to provide thevirtual space to users via the client computing devices 104. Thesecondary server(s) 124 may be configured to interface with server(s)102 to supplement the functionality provided to the users with respectto the virtual space. For example, secondary server(s) 124 may interfacewith server(s) 102 via one or more application programming interfaces.

The server 102 may be configured to execute one or more computer programcomponents. The computer program components may include one or more of aspace component 106, a user component 108, a gameplay metric component110, a secondary game component 112, a notification component 114, andistribution component 116, and/or one or more other components.

The server 102, client computing devices 104, and/or external resources118 may be operatively linked via one or more electronic communicationlinks. For example, such electronic communication links may beestablished, at least in part, via a network such as the Internet and/orother networks. It will be appreciated that this is not intended to belimiting, and that the scope of this disclosure includes implementationsin which servers 102, client computing devices 104, and/or externalresources 118 may be operatively linked via some other communicationmedia.

A given client computing device 104 may include one or more processorsconfigured to execute computer program components. The computer programcomponents may be configured to enable an expert or user associated withthe given client computing device 104 to interface with system 100and/or external resources 118, and/or provide other functionalityattributed herein to client computing devices 104. By way ofnon-limiting example, the given client computing device 104 may includeone or more of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheldcomputer, a tablet computing platform, a NetBook, a Smartphone, a gamingconsole, and/or other computing platforms.

The external resources 118 may include sources of information, hostsand/or providers of virtual environments outside of system 100, externalentities participating with system 100, and/or other resources. In someimplementations, some or all of the functionality attributed herein toexternal resources 118 may be provided by resources included in system100.

The server 102 may include electronic storage 120, one or moreprocessors 122, and/or other components. The server 102 may includecommunication lines, or ports to enable the exchange of information witha network and/or other computing platforms. Illustration of server 102in FIG. 1 is not intended to be limiting. The server 102 may include aplurality of hardware, software, and/or firmware components operatingtogether to provide the functionality attributed herein to server 102.For example, server 102 may be implemented by a cloud of computingplatforms operating together as server 102.

Electronic storage 120 may comprise electronic storage media thatelectronically stores information. The electronic storage media ofelectronic storage 120 may include one or both of system storage that isprovided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with server(s)102 and/or removable storage that is removably connectable to server(s)102 via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, a firewire port, etc.)or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronic storage 120 mayinclude one or more of optically readable storage media (e.g., opticaldisks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape,magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-basedstorage media (e.g., EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media(e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronically readable storagemedia. The electronic storage 120 may include one or more virtualstorage resources (e.g., cloud storage, a virtual private network,and/or other virtual storage resources). Electronic storage 120 maystore software algorithms, information determined by processor 122,information received from server 102, information received from clientcomputing devices 104, and/or other information that enables server xxto function as described herein.

Processor(s) 122 is configured to provide information processingcapabilities in server(s) 102. As such, processor 122 may include one ormore of a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuitdesigned to process information, an analog circuit designed to processinformation, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronicallyprocessing information. Although processor 122 is shown in FIG. 1 as asingle entity, this is for illustrative purposes only. In someimplementations, processor 122 may include a plurality of processingunits. These processing units may be physically located within the samedevice, or processor 122 may represent processing functionality of aplurality of devices operating in coordination. The processor 122 may beconfigured to execute components 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, and/orone or more other components. Processor 122 may be configured to executecomponents 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, and/or one or more othercomponents by software; hardware; firmware; some combination ofsoftware, hardware, and/or firmware; and/or other mechanisms forconfiguring processing capabilities on processor 122.

It should be appreciated that although components 106, 108, 110, 112,114, and 116 are illustrated in FIG. 1 as being co-located within asingle processing unit, in implementations in which processor 122includes multiple processing units, one or more of components 106, 108,110, 112, 114, 116 and/or one or more other components may be locatedremotely from the other components. The description of the functionalityprovided by the different components 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116 and/orone or more other components described below is for illustrativepurposes, and is not intended to be limiting, as any of components 106,108, 110, 112, 114, 116 and/or one or more other components may providemore or less functionality than is described. For example, one or moreof components 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116 and/or one or more othercomponents may be eliminated, and some or all of its functionality maybe provided by other ones of components 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116and/or one or more other components. As another example, processor 122may be configured to execute one or more additional components that mayperform some or all of the functionality attributed below to one ofcomponents 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116 and/or one or more othercomponents.

The user component 108 may be configured to access and/or manage one ormore user profiles and/or user information associated with users of thesystem 100. The one or more user profiles and/or user information mayinclude information stored by server(s) 102, one or more of the clientcomputing device(s) 104, and/or other storage locations. The userprofiles may include, for example, information identifying users (e.g.,a username or handle, a number, an identifier, and/or other identifyinginformation) within the virtual space, security login information (e.g.,a login code or password), virtual space account information,subscription information, virtual currency account information (e.g.,related to currency held in credit for a user), relationship information(e.g., information related to relationships between users in the virtualspace), virtual space usage information, demographic informationassociated with users, interaction history among users in the virtualspace, information stated by users, purchase information of users,browsing history of users, a client computing device identificationassociated with a user, a phone number associated with a user, and/orother information related to users.

The space component 106 may be configured to implement the instance ofthe virtual space executed by the computer components to determine stateof the virtual space. The state may then be communicated (e.g., viastreaming visual data, object/position data, and/or other stateinformation) from server 102 to client computing devices 104 forpresentation to users. The state determined and transmitted to a givenclient computing device 104 may correspond to a view for a usercharacter being controlled by a user via the given client computingdevice 104. The state determined and transmitted to a given clientcomputing device 104 may correspond to a location in the virtual space.The view described by the state for the given client computing devicemay correspond, for example, to the location from which the view istaken, the location the view depicts, and/or other locations, a zoomratio, a dimensionality of objects, a point-of-view, and/or viewparameters of the view. One or more of the view parameters may beselectable by the user.

The instance of the virtual space may comprise a simulated space that isaccessible by users via clients (e.g., client computing devices 104)that present the views of the virtual space to a user. The simulatedspace may have a topography, express ongoing real-time interaction byone or more users, and/or include one or more objects positioned withinthe topography that are capable of locomotion within the topography. Insome instances, the topography may be a 2-dimensional topography. Inother instances, the topography may be a 3-dimensional topography. Thetopography may include dimensions of the space, and/or surface featuresof a surface or objects that are “native” to the space. In someinstances, the topography may describe a surface (e.g., a groundsurface) that runs through at least a substantial portion of the space.In some instances, the topography may describe a volume with one or morebodies positioned therein (e.g., a simulation of gravity-deprived spacewith one or more celestial bodies positioned therein). The instanceexecuted by the computer components may be synchronous, asynchronous,and/or semi-synchronous.

The above description of the manner in which a state of the virtualspace is determined by space component 106 is not intended to belimiting. The space component 106 may be configured to express thevirtual space in a more limited, or more rich, manner. For example,views determined for the virtual space representing the state of theinstance of the virtual space may be selected from a limited set ofgraphics depicting an event in a given place within the virtual space.The views may include additional content (e.g., text, audio, pre-storedvideo content, and/or other content) that describes particulars of thecurrent state of the place beyond the relatively generic graphics. Forexample, a view may include a generic battle graphic with a textualdescription of the opponents to be confronted. Other expressions ofindividual places within the virtual space are contemplated.

Within the instance(s) of the virtual space executed by space component106, users may control characters, objects, simulated physical phenomena(e.g., wind, rain, earthquakes, and/or other phenomena), and/or otherelements within the virtual space to interact with the virtual spaceand/or each other. The user characters may include avatars. As usedherein, the term “user character” may refer to an object (or group ofobjects) present in the virtual space that represents an individualuser. The user character may be controlled by the user with which it isassociated. The user-controlled element(s) may move through and interactwith the virtual space (e.g., non-user characters in the virtual spaceand/or other objects in the virtual space). The user-controlled elementscontrolled by and/or associated with a given user may be created and/orcustomized by the given user. The user may have an “inventory” ofvirtual goods and/or currency that the user can use (e.g., bymanipulation of a user character or other user-controlled element,and/or other items) within the virtual space.

The users may participate in the instance of the virtual space bycontrolling one or more of the available user-controlled elements in thevirtual space. Control may be exercised through control inputs and/orcommands input by the users through client computing devices 104. Theusers may interact with each other through communications exchangedwithin the virtual space. Such communications may include one or more oftextual chat, instant messages, private messages, voice communications,and/or other communications. Communications may be received and enteredby the users via their respective client computing devices 104.Communications may be routed to and from the appropriate users throughserver 102 (e.g., through space component 106).

The instance of the virtual space and/or the game that takes placetherein may be persistent. That is, the virtual space and/or the gamemay continue on whether or not individual players are currently loggedin and/or participating in the game. A player that logs out of thevirtual space and then logs back in some time later may find the virtualspace has been changed through the interactions of other players withthe virtual space during the time the player was logged out. Thesechanges may include changes to the simulated physical space, changes inthe player's inventory, changes in other player's inventories, changesexperienced by non-player characters, and/or other changes.

The space component 106 may be configured to implement an instance of anonline game to facilitate player participation in the online game. Afirst player may participate in the online game through views of theonline game presented through a game interface on a client computingdevice 104. The client computing device 104 may be any client computingdevice, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet, amobile computing device, and/or any client computing device.

The gameplay metric component 110 may be configured to determine agameplay metric for the players of the online game. The gameplay metricmay be based on actions taken by players in the online game. The firstgameplay metric for the first player may be based on the actions takenby the first player in the online game.

The gameplay metric may be based on a progress of the player in theonline game. The gameplay metric may be based on an amount of resourcescollected by the player in the online game. Resources may includevirtual items obtained in the online game during gameplay, such astroops, buildings, minerals, food items, precious items, and/or othervirtual items in the online game. The gameplay metric may be based on anamount of virtual currency obtained, spent, and/or held by the player ofthe online game.

The gameplay metric may be based on achievements by the players inquests, missions, and/or other aspects of the online game. The gameplaymetric may be based on a player's social rank within the online gameand/or across one or ore online gaming platforms associated with theonline game.

The secondary game component 112 may be configured to selectivelyprovide access for the players to a secondary game. Access to thesecondary game may be provided in response to an achievement realized bythe players in the online game. Access to the secondary game may bebased on an amount of virtual items held by the player and/or theplayer's character in the online game. For example, access to thesecondary game may be provided to players who have obtained, spent,and/or hold more than a threshold amount of virtual currency, in-gameresources, troops, buildings, and/or other virtual items in the onlinegame. Access to the secondary game may be provided to players based onthe gameplay metric of the players. Access to the secondary game may beprovided based on one or more parameters associated with the players.The one or more parameters may include demographic parameters, such asgeographical location, age, gender, income levels, spend history, and/orother parameters associated with the player of the online game. The oneor more parameters may be based on in-game play of the player in theonline game, and/or other parameters associated with the players.

The secondary game component 112 may be configured to effectuatepresentation of an interface to players to facilitate plays of thesecondary game. The players may be presented with the secondary gamethrough the game interface while participating in the online game. Forexample, in response to an event triggering the secondary game, thesecondary game may be presented to the player in the same interface asthe online game. The secondary game may be presented to the players asan overlay to the online game, such that the secondary game is presentedto the players in the interface above the presentation of the onlinegame. The secondary game may be presented to the players, replacing theonline game presented to the players, such that the players are nolonger presented with views of the online game when presented with thesecondary game.

In some implementations, the secondary game may be presented in asecondary game interface. The secondary game interface may be presentedthrough client computing devices associated with the players. The clientcomputing devices through which the secondary game interface ispresented to the players may be different from the client computingdevices through which the online game interface is presented to theplayers. The secondary game interface may be presented on the sameclient computing device as the online game interface.

The secondary game may include a set of potential awards. The potentialawards of the set of potential awards may include virtual items usablein the online game by players. The virtual items may provide anadvantage to the players in the online game. The potential awards of thesets of potential awards may have an associated user cost. Theassociated user cost may be based on a perceived value of the potentialaward to the user. For example, the perceived value to the user may bebased on an advantage that the potential award may provide to the playerof the online game. The user cost may be different for individualplayers of the online game. An advantage provided to players of theonline game may have a different perceived value to the user based on auser's status within the online game and/or based on one or moreparameters of the user of the online game.

Individual plays of the secondary game may be provided to players and/orusers of the online game in exchange for providing the associated usercost of the set of potential awards for the individual plays of thesecondary game. The associated user cost may be an amount of virtualcurrency, one or more virtual items, and/or other items that the playermay provide in exchange for participating in a play of the secondarygame.

Plays of the secondary game for users having a higher gameplay metricvalue may have a higher associated user cost compared to plays of thesecondary game for users having a lower gameplay metric value. Usershaving a higher gameplay metric value may be users that have apropensity to play the online game and/or the secondary game and may bemore willing to spend more on plays of the secondary game. In someimplementations, the awards in the sets of potential awards for playershaving a higher gameplay metric may have a higher perceived value andtherefore may command a higher associated user cost.

The secondary game component 112 may be configured to determine, forindividual plays of the secondary game, subsets of potential awardsbased on the gameplay metrics for the players playing the secondarygame. For example, for a first play of the secondary game by the firstuser, a first subset of potential ds may be determined based on thegameplay metric for the first player. The subsets of potential awardsmay be associated with different gameplay metrics for the players. Thedifferent gameplay metrics may be associated with different aspects ofthe online game and/or different aspects of the gameplay of the playerand/or user. The sets of potential awards may be based on discretelevels of the gameplay metrics. The sets of potential awards may bebased on thresholds of values of the gameplay metrics. In someimplementations, for higher levels of gameplay metrics, the potentialawards of the sets of potential awards associated with the gameplaymetrics may have a higher perceived value in the online game.

The subsets of potential awards may comprise virtual items, wherein thevirtual items have a perceived value in the online game. The virtualitems in the subsets of potential awards that correspond to higheractivity metric values may have a higher perceived value in the onlinegame than the virtual items in subsets of potential awards correspondingto lower activity metric values.

The secondary game component 112 may be configured to determine, forindividual plays of the secondary game, an outcome of the secondarygame. The outcome of the secondary game may include one or more awardsfrom the subset of potential awards as the actual award that is providedto the player. For example, for a first play of the secondary game bythe first user, a first actual award may be determined from the firstsubset of potential awards to provide to the user. The outcome of thesecondary game may include not receiving an award from the set ofpotential awards. The outcome of the secondary game may include anadditional play of the secondary game.

In some implementations, the secondary game component 112 may beconfigured to obtain sets of probabilities for the awards in the subsetsof potential awards. The secondary game component 112 may be configuredto stochastically or quasi-stochastically select an award from thesubsets of potential awards as the actual award for distribution to theusers.

The secondary game component 112 may be configured to provide playerswith additional plays of the secondary game. The secondary gamecomponent 112 may be configured to determine, for individual plays ofthe secondary game, an outcome of the secondary game, wherein theoutcome includes an award from the subset of potential awards as theactual award. For example, for a second play of the secondary game bythe first user, a second actual award may be determined from the firstsubset of potential awards.

The distribution component 116 may be configured to facilitatedistribution of the award(s) to the players that have been obtained bythe players during the plays of the secondary game. For example, thefirst actual award may be distributed to the first user.

FIG. 2A illustrates an implementation of a secondary game, in accordancewith one or more implementations. Specifically, FIG. 2A illustrates awheel-based secondary game 200. The wheel-based secondary game 200 maybe provided to users through an online game interface. In someimplementations, the wheel-based secondary game 200 may be provided tousers through a separate secondary game interface.

In a wheel-based game 200, the player and/or user may be presented witha wheel 202 that is divided into multiple segments 204. Each segment 204may have an associated outcome 206. Individual outcomes may include oneor more awards from the set of potential awards, a second turn, nothing,and/or other outcome 206. The player or user of the wheel-based game 200may interact with the secondary wheel-based game 200 to spin the wheel202, wherein the wheel 202 will eventually slow and/or stop with onesegment 204 landing adjacent to or on a marker 208. The player may thenreceive the outcome associated with that segment 204.

Each segment 204 may have an indication of the associated outcome 206and/or award associated with the outcome. As such, the set of outcomesmay be determined prior to the wheel 202 slowing down and stopping,wherein a segment 204 is adjacent to or at the marker 208. The outcomes206 may be determined prior to an input from the user causing the wheel202 to spin, immediately after an input from the user causing the wheel202 to spin, during the spinning of the wheel 202, or immediately priorto the wheel 202 slowing and stopping at or adjacent to marker 208. Insome implementations, each segment 204 may provide no indication of theassociated outcome 206 and/or award associated with the outcome. Assuch, the set of outcomes may be determined as described above, or,additionally, the set of outcomes may be determined after the wheel 202has stopped spinning and is adjacent to marker 208.

FIG. 2B illustrates a slot machine-based secondary game 201. In aslot-machine-based game 201, the user may be presented with a slotmachine 203. The slot machine 203 may comprise one or more virtual reels205, each reel having multiple pictures 207 on them. When the userenters and/or selects a command to start the rotation of the reels 205,by, for example, interacting with a button 209, the reels 205 spin.After a period of time, the reels 205 will slow and cause the pictures207 on the reels 205 to be presented to the user along a payline 209. Ifthe pictures 207 that line up along the payline 209 match one or moreoutcomes having an associated award, the user may obtain the award.

The secondary game contemplated by the disclosure herein described isnot limited to the illustrations of the secondary games provided, nor isit limited to the types and/or genre of secondary games provided. Thesecondary game may be a turn-based game, a skill-based game, and/orother type of game. The secondary game may be a game similar inappearance and/or gameplay to the online game. The secondary game may besimilar to a casino-type game. The secondary game may be any type ofgame.

Each play of the secondary game may have an associated user cost of anamount of virtual currency. The user may obtain virtual currency for usein the online game and/or the secondary game. The virtual currency maybe exchangeable for virtual items in the online game and for plays ofthe secondary game. In some implementations, plays of the secondary gamemay not have an associated user cost.

An indication of the amount of virtual currency held in credit for theuser may be provided to the users. Each time the user participates in aplay of the secondary game, for example, each time the user spins thewheel 202 and/or activates the slot machine 203, an amount of virtualcurrency may be subtracted from the indication of the amount of virtualcurrency, where plays of the secondary game have an associated usercost. In some implementations, the user may pay a sum of virtualcurrency for a defined number of plays of the secondary game. Forexample, the user may pay 5 credits of virtual currency for 10 plays ofthe secondary game. As such, the secondary game may be configured tooffer bulk purchases of plays, where, prior to the user participating inthe secondary game, the user makes a purchase, using virtual currency,of a defined number of plays.

The associated user cost associated with the secondary game may bedefined, or may be variable, dependent upon one or more user variables.The associated user cost of participation in the secondary game may bedetermined based upon one or more user parameters that provide anindication of the user's propensity to spend virtual currency.

FIG. 3 illustrates an interface 300. The interface 300 may be configuredto facilitate participation in an online game 302. The interface 300 maybe configured to facilitate participation in a secondary game (see FIGS.2A and 2B). The interface 300 may be configured to facilitate providingnotifications 304 to the users of the online game, in accordance withone or more implementations. The notification component 114 may beconfigured to provide notifications 304 to users of the online game ofan indication of the subsets of potential awards 310 that correspond tothe game play metrics of the users that are available in the secondarygame. A first user may be provided a notification 304 providing anindication to the first user of the first subset of potential awards 310that correspond to the gameplay metric of the first user. Suchnotifications 304 may be provided in order to incentivize players and/orusers of the online game to play the secondary game.

The notification(s) 304 may include a notification text 306 informingthe users of the online game of the sets of potential awards 310associated with the user s gameplay metric and/or gameplay metric value308. The notification(s) 304 may include a visual representation of thesets of potential awards 310 available to the user in the secondarygame. The notification(s) 304 may provide one or more interactivebuttons to facilitate the user's or users' interaction with theinterface 300. For example, the notification(s) 304 may include a closebutton 312, configured, upon an interaction with the button by the userthrough a client computing device 104, to close the notification(s) 304.The notification(s) 304 may include a play game button 314 configured,upon an interaction with the button by the user through a clientcomputing device 104, to execute an implementation of a secondary game.

FIG. 4 illustrates an interface 400. The interface 400 may be configuredto facilitate participation in an online game 402. The interface 400 maybe configured to facilitate participation in a secondary game (see FIGS.2A and 2B). The interface 400 may be configured to facilitate providingnotifications 404 to the users of the online game, in accordance withone or more implementations. The notification component 114 may beconfigured to provide notifications 404 to users of the online game ofan indication of the subsets of potential awards 410 that correspond toa higher gameplay metric 408 than the current gameplay metric of theusers. For example, for a first user, a notification 404 may be providedto the first user of a second subset of potential awards 410 thatcorrespond to a higher gameplay metric 408 than the gameplay metric ofthe first user.

The notification(s) 404 may include a notification text 406 informingthe users of the online game of the sets of potential awards 310associated with a user gameplay metric 408 higher than the current usergameplay metric of the user. The notification(s) 404 may include avisual representation of the sets of potential awards 410 available tothe user in the secondary game, if the user advances to the highergameplay metric 408. The notification(s) 404 may provide one or moreinteractive buttons to facilitate the user's or users' interaction withthe interface 400. For example, the notification(s) 404 may include aclose button 412, configured, upon an interaction with the button by theuser through a client computing device 104, to close the notification(s)404. The notification(s) 404 may include a play game button 414configured, upon an interaction with the button by the user through aclient computing device 104, to execute an implementation of a secondarygame.

Such notifications 404 may be provided to incentivize the players toadvance in the online game and/or take further actions in the onlinegame. The online game may have one or more monetization mechanics. Byincentivizing players to advance in the online game, take additionalactions in the online game, and/or increase gameplay metrics, the onlinegame provider may increase monetization of the users.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 for providing awards to users of avirtual space. The operations of method 500 presented below are intendedto be illustrative. In some embodiments, method 500 may be accomplishedwith one or more additional operations not described, and/or without oneor more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in whichthe operations of method 500 are illustrated in FIG. 5 and describedbelow is not intended to be limiting.

In some embodiments, method 500 may be implemented in one or moreprocessing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, adigital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuitdesigned to process information, a state machine, and/or othermechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or moreprocessing devices may include one or more devices executing some or allof the operations of method 500 in response to instructions storedelectronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or moreprocessing devices may include one or more devices configured throughhardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed forexecution of one or more of the operations of method 500.

At an operation 502, an instance of an online game may be implemented tofacilitate player participation in the online game, such that a firstplayer participates in the online game through views of the online gamepresented through a game interface on a client computing device.Operation 502 may be performed by a space component, such as spacecomponent 106, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation 504, a gameplay metric may be determined for the playersof the online game, wherein the gameplay metric may be based on actionstaken by players in the online game, such that a first gameplay metricfor the first player is based on the actions taken by the first playerin the online game. Operation 504 may be performed by a space component,such as space component 106, in accordance with one or moreimplementations.

At an operation 506, access may be selectively provided for the playersto a secondary game, wherein the players are presented with thesecondary game through the game interface while participating in theonline game, and wherein the secondary game includes a set of potentialawards. Operation 506 may be performed by a secondary game component,such as secondary game component 112, in accordance with one or moreimplementations.

At an operation 508, for individual plays of the secondary game, subsetsof potential awards may be determined based on the gameplay metrics forthe players playing the secondary game, such that, for a first play ofthe secondary game by the first user, a first subset of potential awardsis determined based on the gameplay metric for the first player.Operation 508 may be performed by a secondary game component, such assecondary game component 112, in accordance with one or moreimplementations.

At an operation 510, for individual plays of the secondary game, anoutcome of the secondary game may be determined, wherein the outcome mayinclude an award from the subset of potential awards as the actualaward, such that, for a first play of the secondary game by the firstuser, a first actual award is determined from the first subset ofpotential awards. Operation 510 may be performed by a secondary gamecomponent, such as secondary game component 112, in accordance with oneor more implementations.

A an operation 512, distribution of the award(s) obtained during theplays of the secondary game may be facilitated to the users, such thatthe first actual award is distributed to the first user. Operation 510may be performed by a distribution component, such as distributioncomponent 116, in accordance with one or more implementations.

The method 500 may further comprise such operations as providingnotifications to users of the online game of an indication of thesubsets of potential awards that correspond to the gameplay metrics ofthe users, such that, for a first user, a notification is provided tothe first user of the first subset of potential awards that correspondto the gameplay metric of the first user. The method may comprise suchoperations as providing notifications to users of the online game of anindication of the subsets of potential awards that correspond to ahigher game play metric than the current gameplay metric of the users,such that, for a first user, a notification is provided to the firstuser of a second subset of potential awards that correspond to a highergameplay metric than the gameplay metric of the first user.

The method 500 may comprise obtaining a set of probabilities for theawards in the subsets of potential awards and stochastically orquasi-stochastically selecting an award from the subsets of potentialawards as the actual award for distribution to the users.

The method 500 may further comprise providing players additional playsof the secondary game and determine, for individual plays of thesecondary game, an outcome of the secondary game, wherein the outcomeincludes an award from the subset of potential awards as the actualaward, such that for a second play of the secondary game by the firstuser, a second actual award is determined from the first subset ofpotential awards.

Although the present technology has been described in detail for hepurpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be themost practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understoodthat such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology isnot limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, isintended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that arewithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it isto be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to theextent possible, one or more features of any implementation can becombined with one or more features of any other implementation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for incentivizing players of an onlinegame that takes place in a virtual space by providing the players withinformation regarding potential awards that are available in a secondarygame for the players that reach particular levels of progress in theonline game, the system comprising: one or more physical computerprocessors configured by machine-readable instructions to: execute aninstance of the online game and use the instance of the online game togenerate game state information that is transmitted to client computingdevices over a network, the game state information facilitatingpresentation of views of the online game to the players via the clientcomputing devices, wherein the client computing devices include a firstclient computing device associated with a first player, whereinexecution of the instance of the online game includes performingoperations in the instance of the online game in response to commandsreceived over the network from the client computing devices, whereinexecution of the instance of the online game further includesfacilitating player participation in the online game, such that thefirst player participates in the online game through a game interface onthe first client computing device, wherein the game interface isconfigured to present views of the online game to the first player andreceive commands from the first player; determine a gameplay metric forindividual ones of the players of the online game, wherein the gameplaymetric is based on one or more of individual progress of the players inthe online game and/or individual actions taken by the players in theonline game, such that a first gameplay metric for the first player isbased on one or more of the actions taken by the first player in theonline game and/or a first level of progress by the first player in theonline game; selectively provide access for the players to a secondarygame, wherein the players are presented with the secondary game throughthe game interface while participating in the online game, and whereinparticipation in the secondary game potentially results in awarding theplayers with a set of potential awards, wherein the set of potentialawards includes one or more virtual items usable in the online game;determine a subset of potential awards that corresponds to a highergameplay metric than the first gameplay metric, wherein the highergameplay metric corresponds to a target level of progress in the onlinegame that is higher than the first level of progress; and provideinformation to the first player regarding the subset of potential awardsthat corresponds to the higher gameplay metric, wherein the subset ofpotential awards would be available to the first player through thesecondary game upon the first player reaching the target level ofprogress in the online game, thereby incentivizing the first player tomake progress in the online game.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein theone or more processors are configured by machine readable instructionsto: determine, for individual plays of the secondary game, an outcome ofthe secondary game, wherein the outcome includes an award from thesubset of potential awards as an actual award, such that for a firstplay of the secondary game by the first player, a first actual award isdetermined from the first subset of potential awards.
 3. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the one or more processors are configured by machinereadable instructions to: facilitate distribution of the first actualaward to the first player.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the one ormore physical computer processors are further configured bymachine-readable instructions to: provide information to the players ofthe online game regarding the subset of potential awards thatcorresponds to the higher gameplay metric.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the subsets of potential awards comprise virtual items, whereinthe virtual items have a perceived value in the online game, and wherethe virtual items in the subset of potential awards corresponding tohigher gameplay metric values have a higher perceived value in theonline game than the virtual items in other subsets of potential awardscorresponding to lower gameplay metric values.
 6. The system of claim 2,wherein the secondary game further comprises: obtaining a set ofprobabilities for the awards in the subset of potential awards; andstochastically or quasi-stochastically selecting an award from thesubset of potential awards as the actual award for distribution to theplayers.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondary game furthercomprises: effectuating presentation of an interface to facilitateparticipation by the players in the secondary game.
 8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein participating in the instance of the secondary game hasan associated user cost.
 9. A method for incentivizing players of anonline game that takes place in a virtual space by providing the playerswith information regarding potential awards that are available in asecondary game for the players that reach particular levels of progressin the online game, the method to be performed on a computer having oneor more physical processors, the method comprising: executing aninstance of the online game and using the instance of the online game togenerate game state information that is transmitted to client computingdevices over a network, the game state information facilitatingpresentation of views of the online game to the players via the clientcomputing devices, wherein the client computing devices include a firstclient computing device associated with a first player, whereinexecution of the instance of the online game includes performingoperations in the instance of the online game in response to commandsreceived over the network from the client computing devices, whereinexecution of the instance of the online game further includesfacilitating player participation in the online game, such that thefirst player participates in the online game through a game interface onthe first client computing device, wherein the game interface isconfigured to present views of the online game to the first player andreceive commands from the first player; determining a gameplay metricfor individual ones of the players of the online game, wherein thegameplay metric is based on one or more of individual progress of theplayers in the online game and/or individual actions taken by theplayers in the online game, such that a first gameplay metric for thefirst player is based on one or more of the actions taken by the firstplayer in the online game and/or a first level of progress by the firstplayer in the online game; selectively providing access for the playersto a secondary game, wherein the players are presented with thesecondary game through the game interface while participating in theonline game, and wherein participation in the secondary game potentiallyresults in awarding the players with a set of potential awards, whereinthe set of potential awards includes one or more virtual items usable inthe online game; determining a subset of potential awards thatcorresponds to a higher gameplay metric than the first gameplay metric,wherein the higher gameplay metric corresponds to a target level ofprogress in the online game that is higher than the first level ofprogress; and providing information to the first player regarding thesubset of potential awards that corresponds to the higher gameplaymetric, wherein the subset of potential awards would be available to thefirst player through the secondary game upon the first player reachingthe target level of progress in the online game, thereby incentivizingthe first player to make progress in the online game.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising: determining, for individual plays of thesecondary game, an outcome of the secondary game, wherein the outcomeincludes an award from the subset of potential awards as an actualaward, such that, for a first play of the secondary game by the firstplayer, a first actual award is determined from the first subset ofpotential awards.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:facilitating distribution of the first actual award to the first player.12. The method of claim 9, further comprising: providing information tothe players of the online game regarding the subset of potential awardsthat corresponds to the higher gameplay metric.
 13. The method of claim9, wherein the subsets of potential awards comprise virtual items,wherein the virtual items have a perceived value in the online game, andwhere the virtual items in the subset of potential awards correspondingto higher gameplay metric values have a higher perceived value in theonline game than the virtual items in other subsets of potential awardscorresponding to lower gameplay metric values.
 14. The method of claim10, wherein the secondary game further comprises: obtaining a set ofprobabilities for the awards in the subset of potential awards; andstochastically or quasi-stochastically selecting an award from thesubset of potential awards as the actual award for distribution to theplayers.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the secondary game furthercomprises: effectuating presentation of an interface to facilitateparticipation by the players in the secondary game.
 16. The method ofclaim 9, wherein participating in the instance of the secondary game hasan associated user cost.